NEW ALBUM RELEASE | UniversalDice, Song Writer Gerry Dantone | Bloghttp://universaldice.com/blog
Sun, 06 May 2018 00:00:00 -0700Foreverhttp://universaldice.com/blog/forever
We'd like to present the last song on our latest album "birth, love, hate, death," a tune called "Forever." We had to end our rock opera in a meaningful manner and fittingly, it turned out to be the last song I wrote for the opera. I had to have written the songs before the finale before I could look back and see what was still necessary to say.

I wanted the character, Danielle, to sing about what she had learned living through the story in the opera and I believe that this goal was accomplished. At the same time I told Vin Crici, who handled the piano and orchestral parts on this song that we needed to invoke Beethoven and the 9th Symphony to make this a memorable finale. Well, it may not be the 9th Symphony, but Vinny - mission accomplished - thank you!

]]>http://universaldice.com/blog/foreverSun, 06 May 2018 00:00:00 -0700NEW ALBUM RELEASE | UniversalDice, Song Writer Gerry Dantone | BlogOne Day at a Timehttp://universaldice.com/blog/one_day_at_a_time
The 15th song on UniversalDice's new rock opera CD "birth, love, hate, death" is "One Day at a Time". This song exists for a number or reasons, and having a reason for writing a particular song is always important to me.

This song was necessary to advance the story of the rock opera after the tragedy of the young man's death in "Sleeping Alone." It was meant to explain the aftermath of Danielle's life and her vow "to make him" proud. Having the story-line of these tragic lovers made it easier to come up with ideas for songs. This song was one of the easiest to write because it was obvious that she needed to honor him for saving her life by saving her own life on her own.

The line "One Day at a Time" is a saying that those with addictive personalities often use to get through another day. Contemplating that saying led me to hearing a melody within those words and lyrics and led to the writing of the music to the song. It's always best, for me, when words and music seem to come together simultaneously.

Just as "Sleeping Alone" was a homage to the Beatles second side of "Abbey Road," this song is a homage to the Beatles creative precision in songs like "Hey Prudence." Even though there is precision, their songs are never mechanical and their melodies soar. That's what I was shooting for. Please give "One Day at a Time" a listen.

(Sung by the character Danielle)

One Day at a Time (c) G. Dantone 2016

I don’t know if it makes any sense

All I know is I have this second chance

I can feel your hand in mine

I’ll make you proud

One day at a time

My hands are clean and my head is clear

This is for me and it’s for you dear

I see your face in the window of my mind

I’ll make you proud

One day at a …

Time, don’t make me forget about you

Time, I’ll never be alone with you or grow old with you

Years go by but it’s like yesterday

I may get lost but I’ll find some other way

I hear your voice in a breeze it sounds so fine

I’ll make you proud

One day at a …

Time, don’t make me forget about you

Time, I’ll never be alone with you or grow old with you

I don’t know if it makes any sense

All I know is I have this second chance

I can feel your hand in mine

I’ll make you proud

One day at a time

]]>http://universaldice.com/blog/one_day_at_a_timeSat, 10 Feb 2018 00:00:00 -0800NEW ALBUM RELEASE | UniversalDice, Song Writer Gerry Dantone | Blog"Sleeping Alone"http://universaldice.com/blog/sleeping_alone
The 14th song on UniversalDice's new rock opera CD "birth, love, hate, death" is "Sleeping Alone". This song had a couple of purposes.

Most importantly to the concept of the rock opera, the song moves the plot along - in a tragic manner. The young man believes his relationship with Danielle is falling apart, and that her decision to return to her abusive relationship is a mistake. She was ending the relationship to spare him from what could happen. So he decides to confront her. He's right, and she agrees, but her abuser shows up - and shoots, killing the young man, just as she warned him. She was willing to give him up in order to save him. He was willing to die for her.

Not this may seem a bit melodramatic, but this kind of tragedy is not as far-fetched as it seems. For example (in real life) my wife and I were once confronted by a crazed gunman who indeed shot and killed our downstairs neighbor who was his ex-girlfriend This stuff happens. Without going into details, it was probably against the odds that we did not get killed ourselves for just being in the way. Our situation was not exactly the same situation as the song depicts, but I know that people get crazy when it comes to revenge.

There was another purpose to this song which was to give tribute to the Beatles "Abbey Road" medley. I did my best to create memorable melodies and piece them together using guitar solos, drums solos and an orchestra. I tried. Listen to the tune!

]]>http://universaldice.com/blog/sleeping_aloneSun, 17 Dec 2017 00:00:00 -0800NEW ALBUM RELEASE | UniversalDice, Song Writer Gerry Dantone | BlogI'm No Good for Youhttp://universaldice.com/blog/im_no_good_for_you
The 12th song on UniversalDice's new rock opera CD "birth, love, hate, death" is "I'm No Good for You". This song is yet another attempt to understand the dynamics of love.

Why do we sometimes say the opposite of what we really mean to the person we love - or say something that we really should have said to someone else? Why do we sometimes find ourselves involved with the worst possible person? Why do we sometimes reject the best possible person? In my own personal experience, which is NOT all-encompassing, I believe we often do not believe in ourselves - we do not believe we deserve someone good, or that someone good would never love us. Here are the lyrics:

I’m No Good For You - copyright G. Dantone 2016

Fall baby, don’t fall for meCall baby, don’t call on meI told you once beforewhen I laid down the law,this is not for me

Now Sugar Daddy’s backand he’s going on attackYou’re not for meLove baby just don’t love me,dream baby, don’t dream of meYou don’t understand,that you’ll never be the man to satisfy my needsYou struggle everydayguys like you will never payyour heart just bleeds

I’m no good for youyou’re too good for meIt’s everything to you,it means nothing to meI’m no good for youyou’re too good for meIt’s everything to youit means nothing to me

Cry baby, don’t cry for meTry baby, don’t try with meI’m wasting all my time,though I hate to be unkind,you’ll never doYour future is lame,got no money to your nameI got a lot to lose

I’m no good for you,you’re too good for meIt’s everything to you,it means nothing to me/I’m no good for you,you’re too good for meIt’s everything to you,it means nothing to me

What do you want from me?What do you want?Give this up for a life with you, with you

Live baby, don’t live for meGive baby, don’t give to meYou did your good deed,I got something to feed,get off my backMy man’s no funbut he’s got a big gunYou don’t want that

I’m no good for you,you’re too good for meIt’s everything to you,it means nothing to meI’m no good for you,you’re too good for me/It’s everything to you,it means nothing to mehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXfqBx7oToo

The 12th song on UniversalDice's new rock opera CD "birth, love, hate, death" is "Man Enough".

No one is perfect. Can we love someone who is imperfect? In a sense, we have no choice. Can we not only love that person, but then not use their imperfections as a weapon against them or as an excuse to feel superior? I'm not offering answers but I am asking questions.

]]>http://universaldice.com/blog/man_enoughSat, 18 Nov 2017 00:00:00 -0800NEW ALBUM RELEASE | UniversalDice, Song Writer Gerry Dantone | BlogBOBBY MESSANO BAND FEATURING ED CANOVA WINS HMMA AWARD!http://universaldice.com/blog/bobby_messano_band_featuring_ed_canova_wins_hmma_award
Congratulations to Ed Canova, (bassist on the UniversalDice CD "birth, love, hate, death") who, as studio and touring bassist of the Bobby Messano Band, won in the Blue Category of the Hollywood Music in Media Awards! The nominated and winning song, "Bad Movie" was featured in the movie of the same name. You can see the video of the song on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vF3F6IElRA

Ed is playing bass and also plays the role of Frankenstein's monster in the video! Way to go Ed!!!

From the HMMA web site:

(Hollywood, CA) November 17, 2017 – Over two thousand attendees including leading songwriters, composers and recording artists attended Thursday’s Hollywood Music and Media Awards at the Avalon – Hollywood. The event, hosted by comedian Ron Pearson, brought together songwriting royalty, Academy Award winners, and the new voices in TV, film and videogame music. The night included the HMMA Career Achievement Award to Diane Warren."

]]>http://universaldice.com/blog/bobby_messano_band_featuring_ed_canova_wins_hmma_awardSat, 18 Nov 2017 00:00:00 -0800NEW ALBUM RELEASE | UniversalDice, Song Writer Gerry Dantone | BlogMy current favorite - "Sunday Rain" by the Foo Fightershttp://universaldice.com/blog/my_current_favorite___sunday_rain_by_the_foo_fighters
“Sunday Rain” by the Foo Fighter is #1 on my personal charts right now. It won't stay there forever but this song rocks and like most Foo Fighter tunes is fun, incredibly dynamic and well played and arranged.

The lead vocals are NOT Dave Grohl, but instead Taylor Hackford who is channeling his inner Robin Zander (of Cheap Trick) and on the drums is - PAUL McCARTNEY!!

The 11th song on UniversalDice's new rock opera CD "birth, love, hate, death" is "Honestly". This song is yet another attempt to understand - love. It asks questions as simple as "do you really love me?" but tries to go deeper.

]]>http://universaldice.com/blog/honestlyTue, 31 Oct 2017 00:00:00 -0700NEW ALBUM RELEASE | UniversalDice, Song Writer Gerry Dantone | BlogDRAMA!http://universaldice.com/blog/drama
What make a song great? What makes an album great? What makes an artist great?

There are many things, of course, that would do the trick but today the focus is on a relatively rare attribute that contributes to greatness - DRAMA!

A song that has no ups and downs, no dynamics, no surprises, no twists or turns - may result in a lack of drama and may have difficulty in holding your interest. Sure, some song may lack drama and seem to hold your interest for the 3 minutes it lasts, but will it do so 1 year later? 5 years later? 30 years later?

Drama keeps a song interesting, perhaps, forever. A song with drama continues to surprise, engage, bewilder, and stun a listener and forces us to pay attention. We might not ever get tired of it.

Think about some of the most iconic songs in rock or pop history such as the Beatles "A Day in the Life." The songs dreamy opening by Lennon is punctuated by the drums in an unexpected manner creating tremendous drama within the opening lyric; the first orchestral buildup is a stunning climax leading and leads to a middle verse from McCartney that is almost mechanical yet slightly off-kilter and odd. The middle eight explodes into an orchestral musical sequence that builds into a calming yet foreboding reprise of the original verse melody. Of course, the drama rebuilds when "I'd love to turn you on..." becomes the final orchestral flourish followed by the stunning last chord on 3 pianos. We never saw it coming. The effect is devastating.

Musically this is as dramatic as it gets. And this is why it is great. This is why it amazes after 50 years.

]]>http://universaldice.com/blog/dramaSun, 08 Oct 2017 00:00:00 -0700NEW ALBUM RELEASE | UniversalDice, Song Writer Gerry Dantone | BlogTom Pettyhttp://universaldice.com/blog/tom_petty
The sad news does not seem to stop; the Las Vegas shootings, the hurricane devastation and now, the death of a great American songwriter and performer, Tom Petty. If you want to learn about songwriting, just listen to Tom Petty.